Kuzul

As a fan of the Atlanta Braves, we have had much to complain about for the past few years.  However, in the spirit of Thanksgiving, I believe we should also consider a few things that we can give thanks for as fans of this great franchise.

The fact is that 2010 was just a starting point for what should be a nice few years of success in Atlanta.  I do predict the Braves should be very competitive in 2011 and battle the Phillies again for the NL East title.  I honestly think this year the Braves should win the division as long as there are no major injuries.

On this great day of food, family, and football….let us consider just a few things that we as Braves fans can be thankful for looking back and looking forward to next year.

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You know, it wasn’t that long ago that Andruw Jones was ruling the NL East alongside his buddy Chipper Jones (no relation).

Andruw played 11 full seasons from 1997-2007 with the Braves after getting a call-up late in the 1996 for the Braves’ playoff push.

In seven of those 11 full seasons, Andruw eclipsed the 30-plus home run mark. Once he hit 41 and another time 51. Andruw was, no doubt, a slugger.

He has a golden bat to go along with his 10 Gold Gloves in center field as well. He has logged 16,215.1 innings in the outfield and recorded 48 errors to his 120 outfield assists. People may forget his bat, but history will remember his defensive presence.

Now, Andruw is in his 30s and is older, slower and fatter.

Being a lifelong Braves fan, an Andruw return would be intriguing for me.

Since leaving the Braves, Jones has played for the Dodgers, Rangers and White Sox. With these clubs he has a batting average of .204 and only 39 home runs in three seasons. What happened?

In 2010, Andruw Jones began to show life again. He went .230 with 19 homers in only 328 at-bats. He also had a reasonable .341 OBP as a result of 45 BBs.

Here is the thing: Atlanta Braves fans can do something other teams can’t. We can look past 2008 to 2010 and see his career with the Braves as evidence of his potential to still be a force to be reckoned with.

Andruw would be a big help in a Braves offense that suffered at the center field position in 2010. Melky Cabrera and Nate McLouth likely could have been one of the worst duos to man center in MLB in 2010. Andruw certainly couldn’t be much worse.

Andruw could be had for cheap. Likely between $1 million to $3 million in 2011 would secure his services.

While he has lost a step, he can still play every outfield position. He is no Gold Glove-winner anymore, but he is a better option than some.

If the Braves signed Andruw, I predict this would be the result:

350 AB, 17 HR, .254 BA, 48 RBI and a .344 OBP.

Not great, but you could do worse for a fourth outfielder. If he starts regularly, you could see even better numbers.

I’d much prefer Scott Podsednik, as mentioned in another article, but Andruw would be a nice story and an investment that could reap big rewards if everything goes correctly.

Come on, Frank Wren—bring Andruw home to Atlanta.

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Rumors rumors everywhere.  Where will Cliff Lee land?  The Yankees, duh.

It seems every off season that pitching is the biggest issue for those teams looking to make a big splash in free agency.

The Atlanta Braves are looking at a 2011 season that very much like 2010 will include much depth at starting pitching.  Carl Pavano, Andy Pettitte, Jorge de la Rosa, Javier Vazquez, and Chris Young are just a few names that come quite popular upon the signing of Cliff Lee if and when Brian Cashman signs him to come to the Bronx.

The biggest need of the offseason was fulfilled with the trade for Dan Uggla on November 16, 2010.  His right-handed power will bring a much needed boost to the Atlanta Braves offense.

It is safe to say, I don’t see the Braves shopping for any above average starting pitching this offseason.  If anything, the Braves could consider adding a veteran arm to their bullpen.

Let’s take a quick peek at what the Braves have to look forward to in 2011 when it comes to starting pitching.

1.) Tim Hudson (Prediction: 210 IP, 18-9, 2.95 ERA, 135 Ks)

What can you say about Tim Hudson in 2010?  17-9 with an ERA of 2.83.  He does walk a batter from time to time but he held hitters to a .229 BAA last season.

What was the most significant part of 2010 for “Huddy”?  228.2 IP.  Not bad for a guy that just came back from major surgery the season before.  You could certainly make a case that Tim Hudson is as good as ever right now and that his only season better than 2010 was when he pitched for the A’s back in 2003.  He may very well be in the Cy Young race yet again in 2011.

2.) Tommy Hanson (Prediction: 215 IP, 15-10, 3.10 ERA, 200 Ks)

2011 will very much be a breakout season for the young Tommy Hanson.  Next season Tommy Hanson will be listed first and Hudson second.

Hanson has a knack for getting in trouble and blowing up, but he has also pitched his way out of trouble several times.  This is typical for a young star.  I don’t think he will compete for the Cy Young just yet in 2011, but in 2012 he will be running the show against the big boys.

2010 showed that Hanson has good control when he is on his game.  His K to BB ratio was right around 3:1.  With a little more run support, I think Hanson would have been able to log a few more innings this season and get very close to 200 Ks.

3.) Derek Lowe (Prediction: 190 IP, 15-12, 4.10 ERA, 125 Ks)

If Derek had only been as dominant all years as he was in the month of September he would have been an easy pick for the Cy Young.  In the final month of the season Lowe went 5-0 with a 1.17 ERA.  With a little run support in the playoffs, Lowe could have pitched the Braves to a NLCS if he had just had a little more run support from an injury plagued lineup.

I think Lowe has reached his peak, but feel he will give the Braves one more good season.  His 2010 numbers aren’t out of reach, but I’ll suggest he will be slightly above average and more consistent this season.

4.) Jair Jurrjens (Prediction: 185 IP, 14-10, 3.80 ERA, 140 Ks)

If I were a betting man (which I’m not) I would suggest J.J. will be more similar to his 2008 and 2009 self in 2011.  Between his injuries (June through August) JJ carried a 6-1 record with a 3.75 ERA in 12 starts.  By September, Jurrjens was already beginning to feel the effects of his injuries.  I feel like this section of the season more clearly portrays what a healthy Jair Jurrjens will pitch like in 2011.  One day, Jair will be one of the most recognized pitchers in the league alongside Tommy Hanson.

5.) Mike Minor (Prediction: 165 IP, 9-13, 4.80 ERA, 155 Ks)

Mike Minor will be the man until Kris Medlen comes back from injury.  If Minor pitches well enough, Medlen upon his return could be used as a valuable bullpen arm in August or September of 2011.  Brandon Beachy may give Minor a run for his money in spring training, but the former Vanderbilt stand-out was drafted to be a Braves pitcher for several years to come.  My prediction will be based on a full season.  This is subject to change depending on what Fredi Gonzalez does with Medlen when he returns.

Aside from the five starters above, others will likely see some time in the rotation with a spot-start here and there.  Brandon Beachy as mentioned will give Minor some competition but will likely be used as a long reliever or a spot starter.  If he isn’t traded, Kenshin Kawakami may see some time on the big club if he can regain some form at AA early in the season.

What I believe most fans hope for is a late season return by Kris Medlen.  Medlen was a great benefit to the team last season and would be an excellent late season addition to what is expected to be a competitive Braves squad in 2011.

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The fact is that when the Braves signed Dan Uggla, Frank Wren no longer needed to look for a superstar like Carl Crawford to fill left field.

Uggla should be good for around 30 homers in 2011, which will provide a helpful, much-needed element to the Braves lineup.

Scott Podsednik would be a nice fit for the Braves in my opinion. Yes, he bats left-handed just like Nate McLouth, but I feel like his skill set, and his cost would fit well with the Braves’ needs.

Consider these points:

1. He can play anywhere in the outfield. If Jordan Schafer still isn’t ready in 2011, Podsednik could be quite useful at those moments when Fredi Gonzalez (yes, that is weird not saying Bobby Cox) gets frustrated with McLouth.

Melky Cabrera gave the Braves an option for all outfield positions, but Podsednik’s speed would make him better defensively. Despite playing the majority of his career in left field, he actually has a higher fielding percentage playing in center than he does on the corners. He made four errors in 2010, which is acceptable.

2. The Braves are severely lacking in the speed department. McLouth has the ability to steal bases, but Podsednik is a base-stealing threat. Even at 34 he stole 35 bases for the Braves. In 2010 Jason Heyward was the team leader with only 11 steals. Pathetic…

3. Podsednik gives the Braves another option to lead off. Prado shined in the leadoff spot in 2010, but Prado’s ability to hit for power is quite limited batting first. I’d like to see him have more opportunities with runners on. I doubt Podsednik would hit first often, but it would give the Braves another option with his speed and average ability to get on base.

4. He is a fairly cheap option. The Braves like cheap. I think he could be had for between $1 million and $3 million. He would be a nice replacement for Melky without breaking the bank.

The Braves will likely carry four outfielders this season with the thought in mind that Prado could get significant time in left. Heyward is an obvious choice. McLouth and Matt Diaz will also be likely. The fourth spot could go to Schafer if the Braves feel he is ready. However, I would like to see the Braves take a chance on a cheap veteran like Scott Podsednik.

I would love to sign a Carl Crawford or acquire a Justin or B.J. Upton, but realistically the Braves need a cheaper option. Podsednik has a .279 BA in his career and carried a .297 BA in 2010. His OBP leaves something to be wanted, standing at .340 in his career, but he would be a significant upgrade from Melky from 2009.

Consider these lineups (with Chipper Jones and without):

Without Chipper:

1. Podsednik (LF)
2. Heyward (RF)
3. Prado (3B)
4. Uggla (2B)
5. Brian McCann (C)
6. Alex Gonzalez (SS)
7. Freddie Freeman (1B)
8. McLouth (CF)

With Chipper:

1. Prado (LF/1B)
2. Heyward (RF)
3. Jones (3B)
4. Uggla (2B)
5. McCann (C)
6. Gonzalez (SS)
7. Freeman (1B)/Podsednik (LF)
8. McLouth/Podsednik (CF)

Podsednik would not be a lineup-changer like Uggla will be, but he could be a catalyst to help the big bats drive in runs.

Oh, and Atlanta Braves for World Series champions in 2011.

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